Sensex back in green, Nifty comfortably above 8,900; Maruti top gainer

The benchmark indices on Thursday extended losses for the third straight day ahead of the exit poll results of state elections due later in the day. 

At 02:50 pm, the S&P BSE Sensex was trading at 28,915, up 13 points, while the broader Nifty50 was ruling at 8,925, up 1 points. 

In the broader market, BSE Smallcap index outperformed the frontline indices to rise 0.2%, while BSE Midcap was little changed. 

The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, turned negative. On the BSE, 1,302 shares fell and 1,197 shares rose. A total of 136 shares were unchanged.